Thank you for the reviews! Trini, I have been getting your reviews in my email. I don't know why they don't always show up in the reviews section. That happens to a few others, mainly guest reviews. I have a hard time understanding them though, even when I use Google translate.
Mr. Bennet is such a troll. I honestly believe he finds contentment in his marriage by trolling his wife. I just had to say that.
I am pleased that many of you enjoyed the last chapter, and at least one guessed at something that will happen later on. There is still so much to come. I am posting two chapters today since the rest of my week will be super busy. Those of us here in the U.S. are preparing for Thanksgiving and I, for some reason, decided to host a gathering at my house. We have family plans on Friday, so I won't be able to post the next chapter. I won't lie, I will probably do that next month as well. I have an anniversary and a birthday on top of Christmas to worry about. December is a very busy month. And if you are crazy enough to shop Black Friday, do be careful. I don't. I went once and watching two women fight over a blender was enough to cause me to never go back. There will be no end notes on this chapter and no notes at the top of the next. Lastly, if you do not want to read spoilers, do not read the end notes ever. If I add them, that is where they will be.
Jane watched the children as they kept vigil at the front windows. Her uncle, sister, and fiancé were late. They should have arrived by dinner, but there had been no sign of them. Jane told herself that it would do no good to fret. Any number of things could have happened. Her father could have been difficult to deal with, or her mother may have kept them later than they planned. She looked at her aunt who was working on monograming a handkerchief. Her aunt looked as though all in the world was well.
"I am sure they are fine, Jane. It is not uncommon for your uncle to be a bit late when he travels, and once he even arrived the next day. It is stressful, but it is better not to get yourself worked up."
"Miss Bennet! It's Papa's carriage! They're coming!" cried Amelia
Jane and her aunt released sighs of relief when they arrived at the window to see the carriage stopping in front of the house. Her uncle exited the vehicle, followed by Oliver, who then helped her sister down. The ladies encouraged the children away from the window and everyone sat and waited for the travelers to enter. Finally the door opened.
"Kitty!" shouted Eleanor and Madalene. Kitty greeted the children with hugs and smiles. She exclaimed over how much they had grown in the few short months. Jane sat back and waited for her turn with a smile. Amelia had gone around to greet her father and now kept nervous eyes on the newcomer.
Her Aunt went forward to greet her sister, and then Jane found herself engulfed in a hug.
"Oh Jane!" she exclaimed in her ear.
"Later," Jane whispered back. Kitty looked at her in shock. They had rarely, if ever, talked about anything more serious that menial things. Her sister nodded and turned back to the room. Oliver had placed Amelia in front of himself, waiting for the appropriate time for an introduction.
"Amelia," said Jane, "this is my sister Miss Catherine Bennet, whom we all call Kitty. Kitty, this is Miss Amelia Andrews."
Amelia did a little curtsy and muttered a 'pleased to meet you.' Kitty smiled wide and knelt down in front of her.
"I am so happy to meet you. I hope you don't mind if I call you Amelia, and I would love it if you called me Kitty!" She leaned in a little to the now smiling girl. "Do you like games, Amelia?"
The little girl nodded.
"Well, I am sure my cousins have told you all the fun we usually get up to. When I am not helping Jane, we shall play many fun games!"
Jane noticed Oliver smiling behind his child. He obviously got on well with her sister. Kitty spent a few more minutes talking with Amelia and their cousins, before the children were all swept off to prepare for bed. Kitty went upstairs to settle in. Those who remained took a seat.
"Sorry for the delay, my love," said her Uncle. "One of the horses threw a shoe about an hour's ride outside of town. Lucky for us, there was a smithy nearby, but it still took a bit of time to shoe the horse."
"Well, I am glad it was nothing more serious. How was the trip?" said her Aunt.
"It went far better than we had hoped. The ride to Longbourn was smooth, and Henry was most agreeable. Kitty was already packing to return with us when we arrived. The settlements were agreed upon, and we had lunch."
"We have you to thank for it, Jane," said Oliver. "The letter you wrote your father impressed him greatly. He only wished to know when the plans for your sisters take effect."
"When will they?" asked Jane, covering her pleasure at his words.
"Once we wed. My Aunt Caroline is simply awaiting my letter telling her that the marriage will take place. She shall arrive before the ceremony, and Lydia will depart with her. We have already put it in your mother and sister's mind that my aunt desires a new companion to stay with her in Bath. Once they arrive, your sister will learn the true reason for her being there. By that point, however, there will be nothing your mother or sister can do about it. Your father agrees with this."
"Lydia," said her uncle, "has recently nearly gotten herself in a lot of trouble. She tried to sneak up on soldiers bathing in a creek. This event helped cause your father to agree with the plans in the first place."
"When shall Kitty and Mary be made aware of the plans regarding them?" asked Jane.
"I leave that to your discretion," said Oliver. "I would suggest it wait until after we marry."
Jane thought about it a moment. "Aunt and I decided I should return home in two weeks time, instead of three. This way I shall be able to visit and give my farewells to my friends as I do not know when I shall see them again. In the time here, I shall decide how trustworthy Kitty is. If she can keep it secret from Lydia, then I shall tell her all. If I am unsure, I shall simply issue an invitation for her to join me. I shall tell Mary of the arrangements. She can keep things to herself well enough."
Oliver agreed and added that he would see to it that Kitty had ample opportunity to get to know his mother and her soon-to-be governess. They would all be traveling to Roxwood together after the wedding, and she would be alone with them there until Jane and Oliver joined them.
"What about Lizzy?" her aunt asked.
"I do not know. Lizzy and I have always shared everything. It feels almost wrong not to be completely upfront and honest, but I am unsure of how she will react when I give her the news. If I feel the need, I shall withhold our plans for Lydia, but I shall inform her of everything else."
They chatted a bit longer before Oliver took his leave. The children were tucked in and everyone decided it would do them all well to call it an early night.
Jane had had a good week. She and Kitty were getting along wonderfully. Her younger sister truly was a different creature away from Lydia. When Kitty wasn't made to feel as though she had to compete for attention, she was a bit more reserved, but still a lot of fun. Amelia had been upset to be made to return to her father's townhouse Tuesday evening. The sisters spent much of their days with the father and daughter. Kitty and Amelia also got along very well. The little girl spent a lot of her time going between the two sisters. As planned, Kitty had gotten to know Mrs. Andrews and Mrs. Whitmore. Her sister had confessed to enjoying the ladies company very much.
Kitty and Jane were leaving early to meet Lizzy. It was going to be a bit of a surprise for their sister. She was only expecting their uncle's carriage. Oliver would be joining them (without Amelia) for dinner the next night. Everyone was a bit strained over their meeting.
Jane was just about to climb into bed when she heard a knock at the door. She opened it to find Kitty there smiling.
"I was just coming to say goodnight," she said.
"Oh, goodnight," replied Jane. As Kitty turned to head back to her room, Jane stopped her. "Kitty, how would you like to stay with me tonight?"
"You want me to stay with you?" Kitty asked, excitement clear on her face.
"Yes," smiled Jane, "I don't think we have ever had the opportunity to have a late night chat."
"Yes! I would love to."
The girls shut the door and climbed into bed giggling. Jane had always done this with Lizzy, and Kitty had often done the same with Lydia. Except for a few times Kitty had had a nightmare as a child, they had never had the opportunity to share a bed. It took them only a minute to get settled.
"I am so glad you are here," started Jane. "Mama and Lydia would have tried to make me choose something outrageous and done in a shop, and Lizzy and Mary wouldn't care what I choose as long as I liked it. You at least give your opinion while trying to stick to my personal preference."
"Our Aunt would never have let Mama or Lydia get away with that. Why do you want to make your own dress anyway?"
"I have just always dreamed of having a part in making it. I know you are doing most of the sewing, and I greatly appreciate that Kitty, but I like knowing that I chose the pattern and helped cut it out and pin it together."
"I suppose I can understand that. I haven't yet thought about my wedding dress."
"Why is that?"
"Well, new patterns come out all of the time! Why should I decide now when there may be better choices later?!" They giggled.
"That is true. What do you think the chances are that Mama hasn't invited the entire neighborhood?"
"Not good. I wouldn't be surprised if Mama ordered the carriage once we had set out."
"No, Uncle and Papa told Mama to wait until the next day. Papa was adamant that there be no time for Lady Lucas to get a letter to Charlotte before Lizzy departs from the Collins'. I want to tell her myself."
"Oh, I wish I could have witnessed that conversation."
"I am sure she set out first thing the next morning. She would not have rested until everyone knew of 'our' good fortune."
"The people in Meryton took note of the carriage. Mr. Andrews' is very grand."
"Only one more week and I am sure we will know all that has taken place."
"Jane, are you not excited to see Lizzy tomorrow? You have hardly spoken of her in my time here."
"I do not believe she will approve of my decision."
"Why wouldn't she?"
Jane studied her sister. It had been a good week, and she hoped she wasn't about to make a mistake.
"Kitty, do you remember how Lizzy responded to the news that Charlotte had agreed to marry Mr. Collins?"
"Who could forget?! She was horrified! She still is, to my knowledge."
"Lizzy has always said that she would only marry for love. She believes everyone should follow that logic, and if the world were perfect, we could. While I like and even care for Mr. Andrews, I do not love him, Kitty. He does not love me either, although I believe he does care."
"Then why are you marrying him?"
"You are still innocent in so many ways, and I do not want to disturb that, but I fear I must. I know that Mama over exaggerates, but we are in a very precarious position. If Papa were to die, we would have nothing, Kitty. Mr. Collins truly could toss us out and we would be dependent on the goodness of our relatives. Mama's dowry would do little for us. As the eldest, it is my duty to make a good match, and to aid my sisters in kind. Mr. Andrews and I have come to an agreement. He is in need of a wife, and Amelia needs a mother. But he is not the only one to benefit from our union."
"What are you to get from this?"
"Kitty, you cannot tell anyone anything I am about to tell you. Do you promise?"
"I promise."
"Not Lydia. Not Mama. Not Maria. Perhaps not even Lizzy. No one can know."
"I promise, Jane. I shall tell no one anything."
"There are plans in place. Oliver has settled dowries on you all. That paired with our connection with him raises your chances of making a match you shall truly be happy with. Mary shall be receiving the instruction she has always wanted. Lydia is to be sent to live with his aunt in Bath."
"The one who has traveled?"
"Yes. She will be at the wedding and shall take charge of Lydia directly after. It will not be a pleasure stay. His Aunt Caroline, I have heard, is well versed in turning unlady-like young women into proper young ladies. There isn't anything Lizzy would benefit from. Nothing she would ask of us, anyway."
"What about me?"
Jane smiled at her. "You're going to come live at Roxwood with us. Mrs. Whitmore shall be your governess. She will see that you receive the education you have been denied. Oliver also hopes for you and Amelia to become close. You are soon to be eighteen. We have already discussed you having a proper Season next year."
"You truly want me to come and live with you?" Kitty had tears in her eyes.
"Yes, I do. I was so excited when he proposed the idea. Kitty, we haven't always done right by you, and I am so sorry for that. You deserve better, and this is my chance to see that you receive it."
"But what about your happiness?"
"Oh, Kitty. Do not worry for me. I may not love Oliver now, but it is very likely that I one day shall. Oliver Andrews is a good man with a good heart. He has never been anything less than a gentleman. I am not going into this blind. Believe it or not, he wasn't happy with the way Mama treated you and Mary. He is happy that you will be coming to stay with us." She lowered her voice into a whisper. "He has his stable master preparing a tame mare for you to learn how to ride. I wouldn't be surprised if he also plans to gift you with your own mount once you are accomplished enough." This set off giggles once more.
"What about Mary?" Kitty finally asked.
"For now, she shall remain at Longbourn. Undoubtedly, things will change there as well. She will not be alone. Lizzy shall be there."
"What will you do if Lizzy is unhappy with your decision?"
"It will change nothing. I will still marry Oliver, but her reaction with determine how much I tell her. I may find it prudent to have you stay with me for the next week."
"Well, just let me know. This bed is far more comfortable than either of the beds in my room."
They talked and laughed for a while longer. Both sisters slept with light hearts that night.
